UTSA aims to build on recent surge by visiting old nemesis

UTSA cornerback Aneas Henricks (6) celebrates a fumble recovery with teammates Michael Egwuagu (8) and Marcos Curry during the second half of a game against Arizona State, Friday, Sept. 16, 2016, in San Antonio. Arizona State won 32-28.

Photo: Darren Abate /Associated Press

HOUSTON — Venerable Rice Stadium has been a chamber of horrors for UTSA during two previous visits.

Despite always bringing a strong contingent of fans for games against their closest Conference USA rival, the Roadrunners have struggled in trips at the Owls’ home.

“Having not won at Rice Stadium leaves a sour taste in your mouth,” UTSA senior strong safety Michael Egwuagu said. “You want to go into someone else’s stadium and steal one away from them. We haven’t been able to do that yet.”

Those previous missteps have the Roadrunners wary for Saturday’s game against the winless Owls, despite their most complete victory of the season last week against Southern Mississippi.

“We know that Rice is going to come in hungry. They need a win,” UTSA defensive end Kevin Strong Jr. said. “But at the same time, we need a win, too. We’re going to take the same approach to them that we did against Southern Miss and hopefully come away with the win.”

More Information

Series: Rice leads 3-1 after UTSA won 34-24 last season at the Alamodome.

Storyline: UTSA will attempt to build on last week’s record-breaking offensive performance as it aims for its first road victory of the season. Rice hopes last week’s bye was rejuvenating after a miserable start to 2016.

UTSA will win if: The Roadrunners’ offense continues to hum and they can play better than in either of their two previous road games. .

Rice will win if: Wily veteran coach David Bailiff cooks up a few new tricks and some massive defensive improvement for the Owls took place over the bye week.

Tim Griffin

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In order to claim its first road victory of the season, UTSA will have to play much better than it did in previous road losses to Colorado State and Old Dominion.

The Roadrunners have been a different team in their road losses compared to their home games. UTSA has averaged 16.5 points, 287.5 yards and 4.3 yards per play on the road compared to 36.3 points, 434.3 yards and 7.2 yards per play at the Alamodome.

While Rice appears to be the ideal candidate to turn those road woes around after the Owls’ five-game losing streak to start the season, UTSA coach Frank Wilson realizes how difficult the game might be.

“We’re certainly respectful of our opponent and we think they are a quality football team,” Wilson said. “But we need to focus on who we are and our ability to put together consecutive games. We have not done that yet.”

Injuries and youth have ravaged the Owls so far this season. They likely will start three sophomores and a freshman in their offensive line Saturday and three sophomores along their defensive front. Leading rusher Darik Dillard, a MacArthur-ex, is listed as questionable by Rice coach David Bailiff after missing Rice’s last game.

“The younger players have to step up, that’s what this game is about,” Bailiff said. “These guys are playing hard and doing everything we ask them to do. That’s encouraging. They’re not pointing fingers, they are uniting with the cause.”

The Owls have struggled on defense, allowing Southern Miss’ school-record 702 yards two weeks ago in their most recent game. Rice ranks 100th or worse in seven of the 13 defensive statistical categories tracked by the NCAA.

Those struggles would make them appear ripe for the Roadrunners, who similarly binged with record numbers last week against Southern Miss. UTSA set school records for total yards and points against an FBS opponent in a 55-32 thrashing of the Golden Eagles.

After preaching finishing leading up to the USM victory, Wilson’s message has been succinct this week in order to sustain its recent success.

“Rice is going to show up and play their behinds off,” he said. “David Bailiff has been there for 10 years and won a conference championship and knows how to win. We’re learning to do that.”

Tim Griffin has been a journalist for more than 30 years working at a variety of newspapers and websites, including more than 25 years at the San Antonio Express-News. He has covered all four Spurs NBA championship series victories, along with 12 national championship football games and five Final Fours. Griffin has been honored nationally and regionally for his writing and enterprise and was a former national president of the Football Writers Association of America. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis and is married with one son.